Code-switching amongst the black community in institutions, corporate spaces, and around other races involves perplexing cognitive flexibility and shows how diverse you can be mentally, emotionally, and characteristically.
However, it can take a toll on your mental state and how you self-identify outside of code-switching instances and situations.
Wondering what it can do to you in the long run? Check out these 6 ways it can affect you mentally:
Your self-esteem may take a hit.
Code-switching for a lot of teens and young adults may come at a pivotal time in their lives where they are in the stage of “finding themselves”.
They may feel they need to code-switch in order to fit in so they won’t get bullied, questioned, or sought out for just being different.
You may not know when to turn it off.
Code-switching can be quite easy to turn on and off, however, if you find yourself consistently in the code-switching mode, you may not know when or be able to turn it off after a while.
You’re re-programming your brain when you are code-switc.
Every time you code-switch you’re essentially training your brain to act on trigger words, vernaculars, racial groups, financial statuses and in intimidating moments.
Your self-identity may change.
Code-switching may come with transgressions on who you self-identify yourself as.
In these instances, one may code-switch so often that they may think this is the way the majority of “respected society” acts, speaks, writes, and expresses themselves – so I should too.